Jews for Jesus

No matter how disconnected a Jew may be from Judaism, he is still likely to be appalled by the idea of worshipping Jesus. And that poses a great dilemma for Christian missionaries seeking to convert Jews.

Given this problem, some missionaries got the idea to try a backdoor tactic. They invented "Jews for Jesus," which uses a whole lexicon of Jewish-sounding buzz words in order to make Jesus more palatable to Jews. For example:

Members of Jews for Jesus don't go to church, they go to a "Messianic Synagogue."

Prayer is not held on Sunday, but on Saturday, the Jewish Sabbath.

They say that by accepting Jesus as Messiah, you're not converting to Christianity, you're instead becoming "a fulfilled Jew."

The New Testament is called Brit Chadasha (Hebrew for "New Covenant").

It's not the cross, it's "the tree."

It's not baptism, but immersing in a mikveh.

It's not a communion wafer, but matzah.

Congregants wear a tallit and kipa, and bring a Torah scroll out of the Holy Ark – just like every other synagogue. After all, they proudly proclaim, Jesus himself was a Jew!

Media Tactics

Their missionary campaigns are well-funded and relentless. The Jews for Jesus organization has spent millions of dollars in print and radio advertising, and has run a campaign of banner ads in New York City subways and on major web sites. If you see one of these ads, you should write a letter of protest to the host organization.

It is the responsibility of all Jews to take a stand.

Comedienne Joan Rivers started screaming on the air after a commercial for Jews for Jesus aired on her radio show. The ad featured two Jewish men arguing over whether Jesus is the Jewish messiah, while the Jewish song Hava Nagillah played in the background. "Do not proselytize on my show," Rivers ranted. "I was born a Jew and I plan to die a Jew. How dare you advertise on my show. I find this disgusting, I find this offensive, and I find this ridiculous!"

The Real Messianic Jews

Jews for Jesus is a subversive organization. The missionaries' approach to ensnare unsuspecting people includes quoting Torah verses out of context and gross mis-translations.

These deceptions are most successful with Jews who have no knowledge of their own Jewish heritage. In Russia, for example, where Jewish education had been suppressed for 70 years, missionaries sponsor "Jewish revival meetings," where a tallit-clad clergyman asks throngs of unsuspecting Russian Jews to "accept Jesus into your heart."

The sad thing is that tens of thousands of Jews (including an estimated 50,000 in Israel today) have fallen for this falsehood.

Ironically, Jews really could be called "Messianic Jews." One of Maimonides' classical "13 Principles of Faith" is:

"I believe with complete faith in the coming of the Messiah, and even though he may delay, nevertheless I anticipate every day that he will come."

There are two excellent organizations which counteract missionary activities and have succeeded in attracting "converts" back to Judaism. You can find them online at jewsforjudaism.org and outreachjudaism.org.

Related Articles:

About the Author

Rabbi Shraga Simmons spent his childhood trekking through snow in Buffalo, New York. He holds a degree in journalism from the University of Texas at Austin, and rabbinic ordination from the Chief Rabbi of Jerusalem. In 1997 he became the founding editor of Aish.com, and later the founder and director of the Torah study website, JewishPathways.com.

An expert on media bias, Simmons was the founding editor of HonestReporting.com, building it into a leading database of pro-Israel activists, where his work was cited by the New York Times as effecting sweeping changes in Mideast media coverage. He is the author of the definitive treatment of the topic, David & Goliath: The Explosive Inside Story of Media Bias in the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict (2012), which James Taranto of the Wall Street Journal calls "of crucial importance for the future of the Middle East."

In 2012, Simmons produced the critically-acclaimed short film, "Red Line on Iran," outlining a peaceful solution to stopping nuclear proliferation in the Middle East.

Rabbi Simmons currently serves as the Director of Aish Communications, handling all marketing, public relations and media activities for Aish HaTorah International.

Visitor Comments: 55

(50)
Anonymous,
April 29, 2014 4:01 AM

Jews for J

The members of this type of organization know a lot about the language and daily practice of different kinds of orthodox Jews. eg the difference between Ashkenazi and Sephardic Jews. I noticed this when searching around the internet . But if you study about authentic Judaism from authentic Jewish sources , it will be very easy to spot the difference even the subtle ones. But I would recommend any Jewish person to learn about Judaism in-depth and your own heritage, what is taboo in Jewish faith and culture so that you can tell the difference and not become prey to groups that are seeking Jewish converts . I have a feeling they target the non religious Jews. Don't be naive either if they are very nice to you. A Jewish convert is seen almost like a trophy , used to promote the 'superiority' of christianity. It may sound harsh but this is quite common. I hope this helps.

(49)
Mati,
April 9, 2014 6:46 AM

Complaining to the host organization is not J4J

The host organization would be the ones who are paid for them to put on the signs. DO NOT EVER complain to the J4J organization for once they have your name and address, the wil NEVER stop mailing you their garbage to try to convert you. I finally got them off my back by complaining to the US Postal Service that they were sending me obscene material but they would NOT take my complaint. After arguing with them that obscenity is an opinion and that regardless of their opinion on what is obscene, they MUST by law take my formal written complaint and address my issue and responding to me in writing what was done about it. That FINALLY, after years of complaints to J4J to stop sending me that trash, got them to stop.

(48)
Ron Roth,
November 1, 2013 3:39 AM

I was once a Jew for Jesus

After my first trip to Israel, and upon learning that there probably WAS a historical Jesus, my interest was kindled. I checked out the Jews for Jesus movement. It took a while, but I eventually concluded that Jesus was no messiah by any definition. Now I am confident in my beliefs about the Torah being a guidebook for a happy life, and honored that my blessed ancestors were chosen to bring this message to the whole world.

(47)
J LaLone,
August 23, 2013 7:18 PM

I find the Jews for Jesus and Christians who lie and deceive to convert truly evil

Those people make me so angry. They are on the Internet, too. We have to be careful when researching Jewish topic online. Those groups are slyly setting up sites just looking to trick Jews of every sort into establishing a relationship with them. They are unethical, immoral, and they are working for Satan, not HaShem!!!

(46)
Cindy,
October 3, 2012 11:29 PM

Stop Converting

I think this is a lesson for all monothestic religions: Stop trying to convert! For thousands and thousands of years Jews have been forced to convert to another religion under violent circumstances. I think that if all religions (Christianity- especially christianity...dont forget about how they occupied all the native lands and converted but thats another story, and Islam). We can all co-exist and live in peace if everyone will just respect us and let us live and pray in our way. We will not try to convert you, so don't try to convert us. Its especially offending in this manner, as Jews for Jesus- as if its saying join us and you won't be christians. Next thing you know, they'll be introducing the new testament in the synagouges and putting those so-called "trees" (crosses) on the walls. Ridiculous.

Beverly Margolis-Kurtin,
June 26, 2014 4:45 PM

Why NOT Convert Christians?

I would venture to say that 99.9% of all Christians have no idea about what their own bibles have to say about anything. I would also venture that 99.9% of all Jews in this country haven't the foggiest idea as to what Tenach has to say.That being true--or mostly true--one can see how easily it can be to convert people from one faith to the other.My synagogue is about five percent former Christians and they KNOW why.Jews make easy targets for the missionaries because they simply do NOT know much about their own religion. Why didn't we accept you-know-who as Messiah? He was a Jew, so why accept him and become a "completed" Jew?Missionaries make me think of the mythical snake in Genesis who fooled Eve; they both twist the word of Hashem and they both know exactly what to say.Since most Christians keep the Noahide laws, they're just as eligible for the life to come, but some branches who use idols, well, I'm not their judge.I've nothing against Christians, but have a lot against Christianity. Their religiously-prompted pogroms, their Crusades, etc. murdered millions of our ancestors. Obviously, they did not inherit the life to come. Murder is prohibited in the Ten Commandments and in the Seven Noahide laws as well.If I ever have the opportunity to help a Christian convert to Judaism I will do all in my power to help them convert. What's good for the goose...

(45)
Elishevah,
January 19, 2012 1:07 AM

You can stop the debate with this question...

Honestly, "Why would any loving, Father do such a thing as to bring into existance a son, whom he dearly loves, for the sole purpose of being beaten to a bloody pulp and then hung on a cross to die for every stupid thing done by every other person who would ever exist?
Is that something a loving father would do? Think how ridiculous that is. Would you do it if you were/are a father? Would you? How contrary would such an act be to the concept of a loving Heavenly Father who gave us a commandment that "You shall NOT kill"? Why do we debate written words when we should be knowing Ha Shem better than that? How basically simple is this concept for one to grasp? Since that is the Father that has been taught by Catholicism, Christianity, and Messianic (false) Judaism, which I once knew...I am filled with simcah to have left and returned to my family's stripped-away, Jewish heritage, to truly know Ha Shem. I have prayed Kol Nidre from the depths of my heart. It has been quite a journey. No more "nonsense".

(44)
Nathan Hevenstone,
February 27, 2007 4:59 PM

Christians and Jews can Coexist, but not like this...

It is quite possible for Jews and Christians (and even Muslims) to coexist, because regardless of our beliefs, our roots are all the same.

However, we cannot coexist if organizations like the Jews for Jesus are running around. Believing Jesus is the Messiah goes against they very foundation of Judaism and the original Messianic Prophecy. Jesus shot down the Torah and many of its commandments. How can any Jew believe in a man who turned his back on his own religion, at least, according to the Gospels?

I honestly wish Christians would stop fighting Jews and vice-versa. We have to find a way to bridge the gap. It is quote possible, but the efforts of organizations/cults like the Jews for Jesus are only making that gap considerably wider, and it needs to stop.

Thank you, Rabbi Shraga, for this article. I have begun to read this site constantly, and enjoy it's articles immensely.

Oh, and I am aware that this comment is coming in quite a long time after the writing and posting of this article. I only discovered this article a few days ago, though I have been interested in the reasoning behind the creation of the Jews for Jesus cult for quite some time, in as much as being able to learn to know how to combat their statements.

(43)
David Elias,
November 16, 2005 12:00 AM

Challenge to Christians

This year was the first time that I ever took the time to look at WHY ?
Why do the jews believe that the Messiah has not come? (From their point of veiw) I had always looked at it from the christian point of veiw and now after looking at it from the Jewish side, I can see without a doubt that the Jews were right all along. Also, knowing what I know about G_d and how the Jewish people want to follow hashem with their utmost, "How could millions of jews for thousands of years be wrong? and I right? after they were the people who were given the Torah and studied it in their own language for thousands of years before?
My deepest appologies to the Jewish people for being so blind, biased and ignorant of their belief.
I now have a sincere desire to convert to Judaism from christianity.
I want to follow hashem to my utmost and only with the help of the Jewish people am I going to be able to do this.
Shalom !

(42)
Anonymous,
December 2, 2004 12:00 AM

Former Jew for Jesus ("Completed Jew", Messianic Jew)

In the Orlando area back in the 80's I spent one year among the Pentacostals and the Messianic Jews. It is without a doubt a mind controlling cult.

(41)
pedro lugo,
January 22, 2003 12:00 AM

Jesus is God John 1-1

Roman catholicism is not christianity. Please.

Anonymous,
April 9, 2014 8:29 AM

Puh-leeze

Constantine invented Christianity in the form of Roman Catholicism. Christianity didn't come from Yeshuah ben Yosef (Jesus) or his Disciples, Apostles or even Paul. Constantine rewrote the NT (The first part--the last part of Hebrews through Revelation was added to the NT 150-200 years later) making Jesus a god, born of a virgin, a human sacrifice, etc. to help the pagans and polythesists accept his new religion so he would unite the Roman Kingdom. He killed the rabbis and the heads of "the Way sect" founded by Yeshua be Yosef to make is plan successful as these were those who outwardly rejected his "reformation" tactics.

(40)
Anonymous,
January 14, 2003 12:00 AM

Shalom Aleichem, my name is Anán i am Jewish Puerto Rican, i am from the sephardim jews. I find this organization of ''jews for jesus'' interesting because, lots of these people say i love jesus and i love him because this is the Mashiaj of yisrael, all right, but let's say that these jesus was the messiah of yisrael if this is the messiah of israel how come most of this people don't live by the Torah? how come because is the old testament, because jesus abrogated it the law? so a jewish messiah abrogates its own law, interesting. I don't mean to offend anybody in here i really don't the only thing i want to say here is that if you have a truth and live by that truth there is Have to have a change in you! I only want every messianic jew that is seeing this message and think, if this is the jewish messiah how could he abrogated the law??? i only live you with this. the real jew is the only that lives by Torah and observes the torah the right way with its right interpretation believing that the word of the prophets are truth that is the real jew. Thank you for your time and like i said i don't mean to offend anybody, if anybody would want to contact me this is my e-mail js_marine15@yahoo.com. Shalom aleichem

(39)
Max Shapiro,
December 5, 2002 12:00 AM

Mailing by Jews for Jesus

Today I received a mailing from Jews for Jesus...something about an offer of a free book written by a woman Holocaust survivor who joined Jews for Jesus. I sent the mailer back threatening to burn down their headquarters if they bothered me again, and used the most salacious language I could summon.
"Haven't Jews suffered enough without you people trying to destroy us by converting us?" I wrote (expletives deleted). I hope this isn't a stepped-up effort on the part of these bastards to convert Jews, and I applaud people like you who are trying to stop them.
Max Shapiro

(38)
Wayne Schlievert,
November 14, 2002 12:00 AM

If GOD, bless HIS name wants more Christian Jews, HE will have them ,without mans interference.

As a Christian Noahide, I cannot understand why other Christians would even want to convert Jews.
Jews are set aside/chosen by GOD, praise HIS name.
They are to teach the rest of GOD's creation what we need to know.
I personally am absorbed in research thru this p.c. media. It's a real eye opener and my faith in my Messiah remains undisturbed.
Maybe, they, (JfJ) need to review their own scripture once more. The answers are there.
Why not try Muslims or Buddists for Jesus. Those without a connection.

Anonymous,
April 9, 2014 8:20 AM

I would like to note that there is no such thing as a Christian Noahite. This is like the oxymoron "Judeo-Christian"

(37)
Pam Schuffert,
October 3, 2002 12:00 AM

Why should we fight other's rights to advertize their faith?

"The Jews for Jesus organization has spent millions of dollars in print and radio advertising, and has run a campaign of banner ads in New York City subways and on major web sites. If you see one of these ads, you should write a letter of protest to the host organization."

In a nation known for promoting religious freedom of worship and liberty to share one's religious faith with others and to practice it freely, I find this comment to be shocking. Should Jews, with a history of persecution for their faith in nation after nation, but who can now experience freedom of worship in America, be therefore seeking to oppress OTHERS' right to religious expression and sharing of their beliefs with others??? This goes entirely against 1st Amendment Constitutional rights and the spirit of religious freedom without oppression.

I am amazed that you would write something like this, and would be interested in your justification of seeking to repress other's religious beliefs while demanding full liberty for yourself.-Pam Schuffert, journalist

Anonymous,
April 9, 2014 8:17 AM

Pam obviously doesn't accept the deceptive advertising

act. It's all "freedom of press" to her while she allows "editors" to filter out words and articles the media is against. How many times have I had my letters to the editor refused or rewritten because "policies" don't allow that. For example I write G-d this way. The editors refused to spell it that way and because I didn't give them permission to change the spelling, they refused to print my letter. And how may times did I write something that was refused because "it would offend Christians?" I wil post one here at the top, and I doubt that it will be printed here for the same reasons.

(36)
David Cohen,
September 14, 2002 12:00 AM

Jews for Jesus Targets St. Louis, 2002

The so-called "Jews for Jesus" showed just how insensitive and uncaring they are when dealing with real Jews by targeting American cities with Jewish populations exceeding 25,000 during the 5763/2002 High Holidays. Just today, the day before Kol Nidre, I received a mailer from this organization imploring us to hear the stories on videotape of HOLOCAUST SURVIVORS who have accepted Jesus. That they would target us during our most sacred seasons is the epitomy of chutzpah and sliminess. Sol'n liegen in DRERD!

(35)
Herve Beaudoin,
July 30, 2002 12:00 AM

What verses are taken out of context

Could you tell me what verses of the scriptures that these people take out of context? I would imagine that it would help me to be able to circumvent their logic as I come upon them.

(34)
Narasimha Ramanujadasan,
July 19, 2002 12:00 AM

Missionary Deceit Widespread

Interesting article.
The use of deceit by Christian missionaries is common in India, as well. This tact goes back to the early days of Christianity when missionaries arrived in South India. I recently heard the Archbishop of Madras in Tamil Nadu State speak with pride about this fact. To this day, Christian missionaries go to India, adopt native clothing, and style their prayers and rituals after local custom. They take advantage of what is a natural respect and veneration amongst the common people for holy persons. When they cannot use this form of deceit, they "purchase" souls. They offer social and medical services in return for conversion. Even Mahatma Gandhi, who respected Christianity, condemned this practice.
Ultimately the only protection against this deceit and fraud is education - make your people knowledgable and their faith so intrinsic to their lives that the spurious claims of missionaries have no effect.

(33)
Guy DeLuca,
June 21, 2002 12:00 AM

Joan Rivers ?

To hold high Joan Rivers as an Apostle for the Jewish faith is in itself comedic ! Her disdain for free speach is obvious yet she spues some of the most ignorant and foul rhetoric heard today on our nations airwaves. Seems to me you should choose other worthy models of human decency if trying to illustrate your argument.

(32)
Ron Stivers,
June 21, 2002 12:00 AM

"Supporter Dismayed by Assumptions"

I am an avid supporter of Israel, and have a great love in my heart for the Jewish people. When I was 15 years old, I traveled in Israel for a month. For many years after I longed to go back to Israel and join the IDF. I have traveled extensively, and have worked for NGO’s (religious and otherwise) in N. Ireland, Kosovo/a and Russia.

Almost eight out of every ten books I read is on Israel, the Holocaust, or other Jewish History. My best friend, from Childhood on, is a Jew. I have a large Star of David tattooed on the middle of my back, which I got when I was 18. The tattoo has exposed me to anti-Semitic persecution on more than one occasion. I wish I was Jewish. I would trade my strait blond hair and blue eyes, for dark curly hair and brown eyes any day.

All of that to say… I strongly align myself with the Jewish people, yet I am dismayed by the opinions I read in reading Rabbi Shraga Simmons article titled “Jews For Jesus” and many of the comments that followed.

Rabbi Simmons wrote, “some missionaries got the idea to try a backdoor tactic. They invented "Jews for Jesus," which uses a whole lexicon of Jewish-sounding buzz words in order to make Jesus more palatable to Jews.”

The Rabbi assumes that no Jew could actually come to a sincere belief in Jesus as the Messiah and yet still want to maintain their history and culture. Why not?

Rabbi Simmons also seems to assumes that this is some deceptive tactic by a dirty Christian, rather then a grass roots movement of Jews who do believe in Jesus and who do a better job of holding on to early Christian (i.e. Jewish) practices. I would expect these assumptions from a newspaper in Saudi Arabia claiming that “it has never been proved that Jews do not use the blood of Christian babies at Passover, not from an enlightened NY Rabbi, or a modern Jewish news service.

I am glad to have found your website, and will continue to visit regularly.

Shalom,
Ron Stivers

~Still waiting for the IRC to recognize the Red Star of David~

Anonymous,
April 9, 2014 8:09 AM

I wish they let us post our emails here

because being a convert I could help you understand why R. Simmon writes like he does and why you feel like you do. Trust me. What you see is only apparent. All the best for you who has moved your heart so close to us and I wish you much success in finding out why postings here and in the article are written like they are (each from his perspective).

(31)
Anonymous,
June 20, 2002 12:00 AM

Jews for Jesus

I want to thank Rabbi Shraga Simmons for his article on Jews for Jesus. I agree with his concern that this is a cult. I am a Catholic Christian Kosher Coordinator who visits Jewish sites to learn more for my personal and work benefit. Last year we took in a foreign exchange student and met a "Jews for Jesus" follower who had a Jewish student staying with her. She took this child to her services every week and agressively tried to convert him. I believe that the parents had no idea and feel this is very wrong. "Honor your Father and Mother" means to me that we have a responsibility to honor the wishes of the parents of a child in our care. Our foreign student was required by us to go to services every week, but her parents decided what church and I provided transportation to make sure she followed her faith, not mine while she lived in our home. I believe to use deception to convert someone is a serious sin and I saw deception in the efforts of the Jews for Jesus follower that I met.

(30)
Anonymous,
May 20, 2002 12:00 AM

On real jewish faith

I find "the jews for jesus" an irrational way of thinking. Either you are a jew or you are not, any "adds on" to the jewish tradition is invalid, as invalid are the efforts of the Christians to undermind more than 3 thousand years of history.
Some years ago I found out that my ancestors were jewish in Mexico, their last names was Berman. My wife, a jew, was the one who discovered this and asked me to find out about it. Although I haven't found concrete evidence about my jewishness, I have converted to judaism because I feel it in my soul and blood. Those who are certain to have been born jews should be consider themselves lucky and proud of it and forget about fanatic manipulations of any sort, and dedicate themselves to revisit jewish history and read more torah in order to immerse themselves into the jewish reality. We are jews!!!

Lazarus

(29)
David Honaker,
May 17, 2002 12:00 AM

"Jews for Jesus" by by Rabbi Shraga Simmons

I couldn't agree more with Rabbi Simmons. When I worked for the Boston-based paper back around 1994, "The Jewish Advocate", there was an ad we placed (huge ad) unwittingly for this underhanded organization. (It advertised a television show about a day in the life of a Rabbi. Little did any of the Jewish newspapers know it was about a Rabbi who converts to Christianity.

Organizations who cannot be upfront and honest deserve cautious scrutiny by others.

Mind you, I am a Christian myself (actually a "Mormon" - so we are not recognized as Christian by other christian churches), so I don't fully appreciate the perspective of the Jewish people when confronted by "Jews for Jesus". But I know of organizations out there who try to fragment the Mormon people, such as the so-called "Christians Concerned for Mormons, Inc." who's aim it is to undermine the faith and values of the Mormon community. I suppose that whatever one believes, there is going to be somebody out there convinced you will go to hell if you don't accept what THEY believe instead.

Thank you for this article. It was well-written, and truer words have never been committed to "ink". - David Honaker, Phoenix, Arizona (USA)

(28)
Sharona Zaret,
May 17, 2002 12:00 AM

Without contempt for Christians

It is without total comtempt for christians that I support fully Rabbi Simmons and the others who are dedicated to educating and counseling our jewish youth who are confused and trying to find their own way. It is overwhelmingly alarming at the great differences between the Christian and Jewish faith while at the same time so similar. While my husband never was able to grasp his jewish education nor the meaning and grew up disallusioned, I was adamantly taught evangelical christianity but found an end with no answer to my questions in that circle of religion. I sought my answers and begged for guidance and was able to steer myself out of a mirage of confusion. I have always believed that I begged for wisdom and because of my persistence was shown the truth. Now that I know better and realize I was on the wrong path for me, it is with great satisfaction but as well great work on my part to pursue this truth and show my appreciation for this great "revelation of truth and wisdom". As well I have a responsibility to the "ONE" for all of my actions and which direction I take from this point. It is with great sorrow as I have tried so many times to help some of my christian friends understand, that the emotion of that religion is the appealing factor. If only I knew how to get beyond the emotions without destroying a christian friend's entire inner spiritual set of faith and value beliefs. The Rabbi that is willing to learn this will be the one able to clear the way for the Moshiach. As it is my understanding that when the Moshiach comes, all will know and honor him as the one who has retored order and peace to the world.

(27)
Anonymous,
May 15, 2002 12:00 AM

Thank you for the ammunition.

As a deeply committed Jew, and the first generation, post-Holocaust survivors of both of my parents you have now given me the means to counter the propaganda of my sister. More than six months ago she was, unfortunately taken in by this rhetoric and continues to practice Messianic Judaism.
May Hashem see fit to bring her back to his love and care speedily and
May He bless you all for your work.

(26)
Anonymous,
May 8, 2002 12:00 AM

Alleged Heavenly Deception

Jews for Jesus is a Protestant evangelical/fundamentalist group that receives most of its very generous funding from Southern Baptist and Assemblies of "god" denominations.
These Christians don't believe that Catholics are Christians, In fact, any purported Christian who doesn't accept their theology is suspect as unsaved.
Jews for Jesus believes in the existence of a Satanic devil deity, which belief is avoda zara, contrary to Torah.
Paul their Apostle justifies deceptive tactics in I. Corinthians 9:20. ("To the Jews, I came as a Jew. I was all things to all men in order that I save some of them.")
Jews for Jesus follows John 14:6 (uber alles) strictly, i.e. the exclusivity of its Protestant theology as a pathway into "heaven" post mortem.
I understand that the Halakhic way to counter such missionaries is to inform them about the Sefer Toldoth Yeshu. After reading it, Santa and the Easter bunny will never seem the same.

Shalom,
Gerry
Wednesday, 5/08/02 common era
Mountain View, CA
USA

(25)
Anonymous,
April 23, 2002 12:00 AM

Love and support for the Jewish people

I don't know much about the JFJ people but I am a Christian who understands that the Jewish people have suffered greatly throughout history at the hands of "Christians". I am so sorry for your suffering but I want you to know that there are many, many of us who love the Jewish people and Israel dearly with no strings attached. You are God's chosen ones and you are kept in my heart always!
With much love and respect,
An American Christian

(24)
E Mendez,
April 21, 2002 12:00 AM

Hi

I remember a Rabbi who said "Jesus was a very righteous man". Anyway, I think that what he was talking about was really hardly understood, if he is the messias then nobody listened....even christians.

I am living in the state of utah, usa. Here i am living an interesting dilemma: Since this is the state of mormons, traditional christians seem to be as jews among traditional christians.....This is an e-mail also to warn you of this phantom named mormonism: They are practically copying Jewish law from Jew law, they are trying to teach everysingle thing Jew religion has....an more than that...they are mixing all with media, egyptian beliefhs and more irritating they call themselves "The new people of the covenant", they are the new jews....The worst of all is that this religion is expanding very quickly, what has happened to Israel?. While Israel sleeps or fight for survivance, there are groups trying to steal its heritage, isn't it time to be reorginized?. Isn't it time for a prophet?. At least a great sage?. I cant believe there is not a new maimonides or someone able to re group all Jews....

(23)
Anonymous,
April 17, 2002 12:00 AM

Jews for Jesus Response

I live in the Dallas, Texas area. "Christian" Messianic Judaism is alive and growing in my area. Most of the growth is being propagated by Apostate Jews who are leaders in the Christian Messianic Movement. If you think this type of Judaism is still where it was for the past 20 years, let me tell you it is not. It has developed into a completely Jewish expression. They have synagogue settings with a complete a Traditional service out of the siddur "in Hebrew" and they are keeping correct Kashrut and observing all religious life cycle and holiday events from a halakah point of reference, ect. They are calling this the Hashevanu Movement; a new part of the Christian Messianic Movement.
Underneath this Jewish display they still belief Jesus is the Messiah, that he is God incarnate, and that God is a Trinity of Persons. The foundation of their belief is totally Pagan.
I believe every synagogue in America should teach young Jewish children "exactly and clearly how sin is atoned for, who God and his nature is, and what a Messiah is from a Jewish position before their Bar/Bat Mitzvah; hopefully before they are nine years old. (Momanides 13 principles on their level) They should then be taught what sin atonement, God, and a Messiah is in the religion of Christianity and why it is a false biblical belief. Children should know this because they are living in a Christian country and they will be faced with Christianity's belief system and evangelists on a daily basis as young adults and adults.
They need to have a perfect "understanding" of Jewish perfect faith. With this in place they may be able to bring Apostate Jews back to Judaism when confronted with an Apostate Jew or Gentile Christian trying to convince them to convert to Christianity. The Jewish community can not "just assume" the children are completely informed about Judaism and have obtained complete understanding about what they have been informed with. Thank you for letting me tell you what I think.
Signed: Very Concerned

(22)
David Squibb,
March 10, 2002 12:00 AM

Deception is not a valid part of Judaism or Christianity

Dear rabbi

How I agree with those parts of your report that condemn the deceptive, proselytising methods of certain christian evangelists. Some christians have used these methods to bring people to the christian faith for two thousand years and they are wrong.

Conversion at the point of the sword (or pen if the pen is really mightier than the sword!) has been used by most if not all religions - may I mention the tactics used by the Maccabees which brought us Herod the Great amongst their converts?

In the context of my being a christian pastor I may not be an acceptable commentator, but as I really care about Israel and the Jewish people, and am deeply grieved that my heritage towards you has been persecution and deception I want to be a part of building bridges to try and redress the balance.

It seems to me that we need to build some bridges of understanding about each other without proselytising. There are problems of course because the more passionate we are about our faith the more we suspect the motives of the friendly hand outreached to say hello.

However, the dangers are great if we do not talk and make friends. I would hate that many Jews came to think that all Christians are only interested in Jews so we can deceive them into becoming Christians.
<Yours in friendship

David Squibb

(21)
DOV BEN ESSINE,
February 12, 2002 12:00 AM

EXELENT ARTICLE

I PRINTED YOUR ARTICLE TO GIVE TO MY HALF BROTHER ,WIFE AND CHILDREN.THEY ARE (MESS}IANIC JEWS,MY TAKE CONVERT TO BEING A GENTILE.I AM A PROUD JEW ISRAELI/AMERICAN CITEnZEN.
I LOVE YOUR WEBSITE,I AM AN AVID READER OF YOUR ARTICLES.
REGARDS
DOV B E

(20)
john vega,
February 1, 2002 12:00 AM

do they think we are stupid?

jews for jesus needs to change their name to former jews for jesus,so real jews would not get confused with their deceptive name ,and they should also change the name jesus to something else ,since jews get confused by that too.Are we that stupid?

(19)
D P,
January 8, 2002 12:00 AM

jews for judaism

i agree this jews for jesus is absurd and contradictory.

im a proud jew for judaism

(18)
Michael Schwartz,
January 6, 2002 12:00 AM

A nudnik by any other name still nudzhes you

My complaint is that Christianity seems to make people dead from the neck up.
Every Jew knows that Jesus is not G-d.
If Jesus was Jewish he knew that too.
Personally, I think the Chassidim are the real Messianic Jews, and that when the Messiah comes the divine kingdom will be a reality on earth. Since I don't see the world as a paradise, I don't believe the Messiah has come yet -but, I'm still waiting.
These guys have made their poor parents ashamed of them. For that I am ashamed.

(17)
Louis A. Romo,
January 4, 2002 12:00 AM

Jews to take over evangelizing earth very soon when Elijah comes.

As a Christian Zionist I believe we are at the Time of Jacob's trouble and the Jew people, and especially Rabbi's have to start preparing to take over the job of evangelizing the whole earth because G-d is going to thrust it upon Judaism very soon. The Book of Revelations clearly shows Jesus condemning Christianity for having failed in their mission, and the job is returned to the Jew! In the same Book of revelations it is clearly stated 144,000 Jews, 12,000 of each tribe will spread what I call the Gospel according to Torah.

I do not believe in preaching Jesus to Jews, but i preach for all Christians to support Israel and the Jews....I have very few christian friends!!! Much of Christianity has fallen for the big lie that it has replaced Judaism and that is leading us up to the 4th reich and the ultimate holocaust. Most Christians are totally unaware of our Jewish heritage and I try to win friends for Israel by explaining how Even Jesus said he had not come to do away with the law but to fulfill it. I feel it is time for Rabbi's that feel we are in the last days to come out vocally world wide and preach their message. I know many Christians would pay attention to the Rabbis because in their hearts they know it is time and ministers and the catholic churches are only concerned with themselves.

Because of the times...will you join me in praying for the return of ELIJAH?
YOURS TRULY, Louis Romo in Stockton, California

(16)
Anonymous,
December 23, 2001 12:00 AM

we must eradicate these missonaries that are called jews for j----. they are the lowest forms of life trying to manipulate the lost soles or forgotten jews. they are are using deceptfull approaches to lure our people in Israel

(15)
Jeff West,
December 9, 2001 12:00 AM

Thanks

It is because I am a Christian that I have a G-d placed love for the nation of Israel and Jews. Jews accept and like me, to my knowledge. I don't hit any of my friends over the head with my Bible, including Jews. I would place my self in harms way to protect a Jew or anyone friend or not. My old self was very much the opposite!

(14)
Ed Manning,
November 15, 2001 12:00 AM

This is an excellent article. The subject needs wider exposure. Credit Joan Rivers for taking a strong stand.
Other well known Jewish entertainers,etc could be solicited to add their voices.

(13)
Gershom May,
November 12, 2001 12:00 AM

Been there -- done that.

I spent several years as the lay leader for a military synagogue where a local group of the messianic Jews made numerous attempts to infiltrate our synagogue.
Being a Ger -- (then learning later I had Jewish roots) & former pentecostal member of churches and groups -- put me in a unique postion to recognize the rhetoric and slight of tounge they use to gain access. So for the most part I was able to keep them out of our synagogue by approaching them, and confronting them with the knowledge that I knew who they were and what they wanted. IF they chose to stay for service -- they were to make no attempts at discussion of their belief. Or, they would be escorted out.
They quickly, left.
So may I suggest strongly based on my former association, and knowledge of how they work -- that every effort be made to advertise in major and local news papers across the nation -- frequently -- some of the excellent books that can be obtained that refute their claims.
Such as the current work a remake of "The Disputation", "Faith Strengthened", and a little more philosophical work called "Jewish and Christian Ethics". All clearly give some excellent points of refutation to the missionary outreach by the various church groups.
I now live in Israel and am finding many secular who are also being influenced by the "700 Club" type shows. I use these books as reference materiel.
May Hashem prevent the Yatzer Hara of deciet -- from fooling our people.

(12)
Lisa Duncan,
November 4, 2001 12:00 AM

I Fell For It

I fell for the tactics, but not from Jews for Jesus but from the Baptist Church itself. The pastor there told me all the same things mentioned above that come from JFJ missionaries. It worked, and for 6 years I was a practicing Christian, becoming baptised and the whole nine yards. Finally, by this year I allowed those uncomfortable feelings I had all along to take over the desire to "fit in" (I live in a Bible thumping area of central California). I have since returned to practicing Judaism, and my husband has remained a Christian. We will figure it out, but other Jews must not fall for the tactics used by the JFJ's as well as by the churches. We must remember that being Jewish gives us the connection with G-d so many Christians go through Jesus to get. When the Messiah comes, we'll ALL know it. Until then, we must love G-d and follow His mitvot.

(11)
Henry Murray,
October 21, 2001 12:00 AM

A true analysis.

Once again I comment on what I have read and in the first portion of this message the truth is evident to me first hand in the section begining with: for example. By infiltrating Judaic thoughts and using terms associated with Judaism, in an effort to confuse people, the unsuspecting truly feel a sense of Jewishness whereby if Christian/Catholic terms, i.e. cross, baptism, were used there might be some questions raised as to why those terms are used since they are in conflict with Judaic terms. Once you use different terminology, you can hide the actual message. I recall a Christian writer who wrote that satan uses a lake of truth to hide a pint of poison. It is the sublime messages that Messianics use to bring people into a sense of comfort and therefore the people believe they are on the right track.That the Jewish element of ritual, and so forth is only a natural path to follow. And, a Messianic synagouge I am familiar with proclaims that it is a gathering of Jews AND Gentiles who profess that Jesus is indeed the Jewish Messiah.The Jewish rituals are indispersed with preaching from the New Testament. Obviously a conflict.
Shalom,
Henry Murray

(10)
isabel bell,
September 25, 2001 12:00 AM

jesus the mesias?

i dont think god wants fanatics, one day all human kind will see the savior of this world, for now we should double our praying time, instead of wasting time, lets talk to nonebelievers about GOD.

(9)
Anonymous,
September 12, 2001 12:00 AM

I am not a Jew but I fully agree with the atricle. The best words I ever read about Jesus were written by Jews - Buber, Fluesser, Russian-Jewish journalist Michael Heifetz (his last book "Trial on Jewsus: Jewish versions" is great). The type of propaganda used by Jews for Jesus is primitive protestantism that makes one allergic after first minute of reading. This organisation from time to time distibutes their leaflets in Moscow - the content is primitive and tasteless. A sort of primitive brain-washing similar to the "chewing gum" of American protestant preachers.I don't think their activies can do any good either to Jews, or to Jesus.

(8)
Anonymous,
September 1, 2001 12:00 AM

Jews for Jesus

I'm sorry you feel this way.

(7)
Anonymous,
August 28, 2001 12:00 AM

Fortify

Unfortunately, all religions have their subversive elements. Its part of the nature of religion and politics not subvert, convert, control any and all opponents by what ever means. Anyone who wishes to ward off conversion to anything must fully understand psychology and that takes study. Simple "say no to..." doesnt work. The value of Judaism must be so high that everything else seems second rate.

(6)
Anonymous,
August 28, 2001 12:00 AM

i don't understand.

you state that jews for jesus are trying to trick jews into converting. but i don't see much evidence for this in your article. what is wrong with using jewish words and customs in their services when jews for jesus have grown up jewish and still consider themselves jewish? why would anyone expect them to not incorporate jewish tradition? just because you don't support their beliefs does not mean that they are "tricking" jews into their way of thinking. i don't see adequate support for that claim in your article.

Aish.com comments: Jews being Jewish is fine. Jews being Christian and cloaking it in Jewish practice and calling it Jewish is not. Call it what it is - Christianity. And Christianity is not Judaism, regardless of "Jewish trappings".

(5)
Anonymous,
August 20, 2001 12:00 AM

Christian weakness bolstered by snagging Jews

For centuries Christian populations have watched the Jews among them retain their faith in the midst of challenge, persecution and death. And for centuries, the Christians have envied Jews our accomplishments in education, the arts and sciences, business, and almost every other endeavor we undertake. Our sense of peoplehood has been perceived as a threat to those among whom we reside. This whole "Jews for Jesus" thing is the inverse of the old maxim, "If you can't beat them, join them", except in this case, they succeed by having us join them, thereby bolstering their own flagging faith. It's dirty and underhanded, but it's our own fault for not educating our own and instilling the pride we've earned by outlasting every persecutor we've had for the last 4000 years.

(4)
Patricia Trotter,
July 29, 2001 12:00 AM

Truth vs Fiction

If the Gospel of Jesus is Truth it will survive. If it is false it will fall. Time is the test for every religion. It is our responsibility to know the truth and how better to do that than to search the Bible for our answers. It is important that we ask what G-d has to say about it rather than to ask what is man's analysis.
May you and I be blessed with wisdom as we search for the Truth.
pt

(3)
Sandy Bendar,
July 25, 2001 12:00 AM

Why can't one still be Jewish and believe in Jesus?

I would like to know who made the law that as Jews you cannot believe in Jesus? Unfortunately, there has been a lot of persecution in Jesus name Is that HIS fault or the fault of man?

Aish.com replies: We have an article on exactly this question at http://aish.com/societyWork/philosophy/Why_Dont_Jews_Believe_In_Jesus$.asp

(2)
Alan Flanders,
July 10, 2001 12:00 AM

How sad for the Christians

The concept for this subversion sounds like something out of the dark ages; their need to trick good Jews into converting and their continuous missionary zeal are merely expressions of personal weakness and lack of self-confidence.

(1)
Aaron Janes,
July 5, 2001 12:00 AM

Even as a Christian I disapprove of such tactics.

I am a Christian (although almost all my major beliefs differ from orthodox Christianity). I am interested in aish.com because I strongly believe that the Jews have had and will have a major part to play in the world.

Even as a Christian I am disgusted by the kind of tactics recorded here. This is exactly what the Roman Catholic church tried to do by merging paganism and Christianity.

I'm told that it's a mitzvah to become intoxicated on Purim. This puzzles me, because to my understanding, it is not considered a good thing to become intoxicated, period.

One of the characteristics of the at-risk youth is their use of drugs, including alcohol. In my experience, getting drunk doesn't reveal secrets. It makes people act stupid and irresponsible, doing things they would never do if they were sober. Also, I know a lot about the horrible health effects of abusing alcohol, because I work at a research center that focuses on addiction and substance abuse.

Also, I am an alcoholic, which means that if I drink, very bad things happen. I have not had a drink in 22 years, and I have no intention of starting now. Surely there must be instances where a person is excused from the obligation to drink. I don't see how Judaism could ever promote the idea of getting drunk. It just doesn't seem right.

The Aish Rabbi Replies:

Putting aside for a moment all the spiritual and philosophical reasons for getting drunk on Purim, this remains an issue of common sense. Of course, teenagers should be warned of the dangers of acute alcohol ingestion. Of course, nobody should drink and drive. Of course, nobody should become so drunk to the point of negligence in performing mitzvot. And of course, a recovering alcoholic should not partake of alcohol on Purim.

Indeed, the Code of Jewish Law explicitly says that if one suspects the drinking may affect him negatively, then he should NOT drink.

Getting drunk on Purim is actually one of the most difficult mitzvot to do correctly. A person should only drink if it will lead to positive spiritual results - e.g. under the loosening affect of the alcohol, greater awareness will surface of the love for God and Torah found deep in the heart. (Perhaps if we were on a higher spiritual level, we wouldn't need to get drunk!)

Yet the Talmud still speaks of an obligation on Purim of "not knowing the difference between Blessed is Mordechai and Cursed is Haman." How then should a person who doesn't drink get the point of “not knowing”? Simple - just go to sleep! (Rama - OC 695:2)

All this applies to individuals. But the question remains - does drinking on Purim adversely affect the collective social health of the Jewish community?

The aversion to alcoholism is engrained into Jewish consciousness from a number of Biblical and Talmudic sources. There are the rebuking words of prophets - Isaiah 28:1, Hosea 3:1 with Rashi, and Amos 6:6, and the Zohar says that "The wicked stray after wine" (Midrash Ne'alam Parshat Vayera).

It is well known that the rate of alcoholism among Jews has historically been very low. Numerous medical, psychological and sociological studies have confirmed this. The connection between Judaism and sobriety is so evident, that the following conversation is reported by Lawrence Kelemen in "Permission to Receive":

When Dr. Mark Keller, editor of the Quarterly Journal of Studies on Alcohol, commented that "practically all Jews do drink, and yet all the world knows that Jews hardly ever become alcoholics," his colleague, Dr. Howard Haggard, director of Yale's Laboratory of Applied Physiology, jokingly proposed converting alcoholics to the Jewish religion in order to immerse them in a culture with healthy attitudes toward drinking!

Perhaps we could suggest that it is precisely because of the use of alcohol in traditional ceremonies (Kiddush, Bris, Purim, etc.), that Jews experience such low rates of alcoholism. This ceremonial usage may actually act like an inoculation - i.e. injecting a safe amount that keeps the disease away.

Of course, as we said earlier, all this needs to be monitored with good common sense. Yet in my personal experience - having been in the company of Torah scholars who were totally drunk on Purim - they acted with extreme gentleness and joy. Amid the Jewish songs and beautiful words of Torah, every year the event is, for me, very special.

Adar 12 marks the dedication of Herod's renovations on the second Holy Temple in Jerusalem in 11 BCE. Herod was king of Judea in the first century BCE who constructed grand projects like the fortresses at Masada and Herodium, the city of Caesarea, and fortifications around the old city of Jerusalem. The most ambitious of Herod's projects was the re-building of the Temple, which was in disrepair after standing over 300 years. Herod's renovations included a huge man-made platform that remains today the largest man-made platform in the world. It took 10,000 men 10 years just to build the retaining walls around the Temple Mount; the Western Wall that we know today is part of that retaining wall. The Temple itself was a phenomenal site, covered in gold and marble. As the Talmud says, "He who has not seen Herod's building, has never in his life seen a truly grand building."

Some people gauge the value of themselves by what they own. But in reality, the entire concept of ownership of possessions is based on an illusion. When you obtain a material object, it does not become part of you. Ownership is merely your right to use specific objects whenever you wish.

How unfortunate is the person who has an ambition to cleave to something impossible to cleave to! Such a person will not obtain what he desires and will experience suffering.

Fortunate is the person whose ambition it is to acquire personal growth that is independent of external factors. Such a person will lead a happy and rewarding life.

With exercising patience you could have saved yourself 400 zuzim (Berachos 20a).

This Talmudic proverb arose from a case where someone was fined 400 zuzim because he acted in undue haste and insulted some one.

I was once pulling into a parking lot. Since I was a bit late for an important appointment, I was terribly annoyed that the lead car in the procession was creeping at a snail's pace. The driver immediately in front of me was showing his impatience by sounding his horn. In my aggravation, I wanted to join him, but I saw no real purpose in adding to the cacophony.

When the lead driver finally pulled into a parking space, I saw a wheelchair symbol on his rear license plate. He was handicapped and was obviously in need of the nearest parking space. I felt bad that I had harbored such hostile feelings about him, but was gratified that I had not sounded my horn, because then I would really have felt guilty for my lack of consideration.

This incident has helped me to delay my reactions to other frustrating situations until I have more time to evaluate all the circumstances. My motives do not stem from lofty principles, but from my desire to avoid having to feel guilt and remorse for having been foolish or inconsiderate.

Today I shall...

try to withhold impulsive reaction, bearing in mind that a hasty act performed without full knowledge of all the circumstances may cause me much distress.

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